Hello, readers, welcome to the new post. Here we will learn about the 1971 Half Dollar Value—Mint, Errors, and Worth. The 1971 half dollar is a US coin that is liked by collectors and coin lovers. After the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the US Mint changed the design of the half dollar to honor the president. The 1971 half dollar is low value since coins are not rare due to a larger number; some coins, like MS67 or higher grade, are also high value. Let’s get started with the 1971 Half Dollar Value.
1971 Half Dollar Value Chart
| Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine |
(MS 65)
|
|
1971 no mint mark Half Dollar
|
$0.7 | $0.7 | $1 | $40 |
|
1971 D Half Dollar
|
$0.7 | $0.7 | $0.7 | $20 |
|
1971 “S” proof Half Dollar
|
– | – | – | $9.00 |
1971 Half Dollar History
In 1963, after the death of John F. Kennedy, Congress decided to make a change in the design of silver coins to pay tribute to the president. On Nov 27, 1963, the design of the coin was chosen by the Kenney wife. Robert worked on the design on the front side of coins, replacing the photo of Benjamin Franklin with John F. Kennedy. The reverse design was modified by Fran Gasparro. In 1964, the US Mint introduced the Kennedy half dollar for circulation, and they became very famous. These coins were liked by people, and they thought it was more valuable compared to other coins for saving. So Kennedy half dollars were rarely seen in circulation irrespective of high mintage.
The prices of silver became high due to an increase in hoarding. People melted coins for silver. As a result, the US Mint changed the composition of half dollars from 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper to 40 percent silver and 60 percent copper. Irrespective of change, very few Kennedy half dollars were seen in circulation. So the mint removed silver from half dollars in 1971 and used copper-nickel clad composition.
A total of 460,981,607 half-dollar coins were made in 1971; out of that, 1971 No Mint mark Half dollar 155,640,000; 1971 D half a dollar 302,097,424; and 1971 S proof half dollar 3,244,183
1971 No Mint Mark Half Dollar Value
The 155,460,000 Kennedy half-dollar was made by the P Mint in 1971. These coins do not have a mint mark. Their larger mintage makes value less. In circulated condition, it can be bought for about 60 cents. In the mint state, they are high value and have a value of 45 dollars or higher.
In action 2018, 1971 no-mint-mark half dollars sold for 1560 dollars for high grades. MS64 grade sold for 575 dollars and MS62 for 374 dollars in auction.
Most valuable 1971 half dollar coins:
| Coin |
Value in uncirculated condition
|
| 1971-D Doubled Die Obverse |
3100 dollars
|
| 1971-S Doubled Die Obverse |
2000 dollars
|
| 1971-S Weak D | 150 dollars |
| 1971-S Overdate | 100 dollars |
1971 D half dollar value
The D mint made about 302 million coins in 1971 having a D mint mark. Their larger number makes these coins easily accessible. Their value is also low.
- Circulation condition 1971 D half dollar is $0.60 to $0.75.
- MS63 grade has a value of about nine dollars.
- In 2018, Auction 1971-D graded at MS61 sold for $13,000.
- In 2003, AU 58 grade 2 coins sold for $6,038 and $3,910.
1971 S Proof Half Dollar Value
There were 3,244,183 coins made by S Mint in 1971. These coins are not for regular strikes. These coins were proof coins and came with an S mint mark on the front side. As proof coins are of high quality and have higher value than other coins. Normally the value is one dollar for the average condition.
Mint state coin value is about 850 dollars or higher based on condition.
PR65 half dollar value is $4.63 to $5.70.
- Face value = 50 cents
- Compound = 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel
- Coin weight = 0.4 ounces
- Coin diameter = 1.20512 inches
- thickness = 0.08464 inches
How Much Is a 1971 Half Dollar Worth?
The 1971 Kennedy half dollar in circulated condition is valued at $0.60 and $0.75. In uncirculated conditions, it can be about $2050.
1971 Half Dollar Composition
- its face value is fifty cents
- It has a composition of 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel.
- Its weight is 0.4 ounces.
- Diameter: 1.20512 inches with 0.08464 inches thickness
Is a 1971 Half Dollar Coin Rare?
The 1971 Kennedy half dollar is not considered to be a rare coin. The total mintage was 302,097,424 coins, which is a relatively high number. However, some varieties of the 1971 Kennedy half-dollar are more valuable than others.
| Coin | Value |
| 1971-D Doubled Die Obverse | $156 |
| 1971-S Proof | $4.63 |
| 1971-S No Mintmark | $100 |
How Can I Tell if My 1971 Half Dollar Is Silver? (40% Silver)
The easy method for telling that the 1971 half dollar has a silver check coin edge. Silver halves come with reeded edges and sharp, clear lines. The copper-nickel-clad halves have smooth, reeded edges.
Another method is to weigh the coin’s silver part; weight is 12.5 grams, and the copper-nickel clad has 11.5 grams.
1971 Kennedy Half Dollar Features
Obverse of 1971 Kennedy Half Dollar
The front side of the coin comes with a photo of Kennedy. The photo is facing left, and the word LIBERTY is written on this side. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST is also there, and the minting date can be seen there.
Reverse of 1971 Kennedy Half Dollar
The 1971 half dollar’s backside comes with a bald eagle with spread wings and the US president’s coat of arms on the chest. Olive branch and a bundle of arrows on this side. Over the eagle’s head, E PLURIBUS UNUM. The country name and HALF DOLLAR denomination can be seen there.
1971 Kennedy Half-Dollar Errors
Struck On A Silver Planchet
In 1971, half a dollar came with copper and nickel. So some silver planchets exist for raw planchets. These planchets struck on new coins in a machine. Their mintage is not known; coins with this error can sell for more than 10,000 dollars at auctions.
Struck On A Nickel Planchet
The 1971 Kennedy half-dollar struck on a nickel planchet comes with a plain edge. It also looks like some parts are missing over the rim. This is due to the nickel planchet diameter that is not larger for standard half-dollar coins.
Struck on a Quarter Clad Strip Error
This error occurs when the mint struck coins on a clad strip of quarters. Due to the clad strip coming with a high diameter, half a dollar will be the same size as copper-nickel coins. But it has a different weight; coins struck with clad strips weigh about 8.8 grams, then 11.3 grams.
Coins with this error of MS60 can be sold for 400 dollars.
Double Die Error
In some conditions, a damaged die can strike a blank planchet double, causing a doubling of design. The coin has a doubling effect on any side. The DDO or DDR has a doubling effect on different words, letters, and minting dates. Coin with this error has a value of about 2000 dollars or higher.
What Does The 1971 Half-Dollar Mark On Kennedy’s Neck Mean?
The mark on the neck of the 1971 half dollar is the initials letters GR, that is, Gilroy Roberts, who was Chief Engraver of the US Mint from 1948 to 1964.
Roberts made a front side of the Kennedy half dollar, and initials letters were added below the side of Kennedy’s neck.
The composition changed in 1971 from 90 percent silver to 40 percent silver clad. The GR still exists on coins but is dim as compared to older silver coins.
There is no rare error with the GR mark on the 1971 half dollar; some half dollars were mistakenly made on the silver planchet. These coins are rare and of high value. If there is a 1971 half-dollar with a GR mark on the neck, that is not rare.
What Should I Look For In A 1971 Half Dollar?
The main factors that define the value of the 1971 half-dollar are composition and rarity. Such as a 40% silver 1971 Kennedy half-dollar has a value of $10,000. With that, some errors, like double die obverse/reverse, off-center, or planchet errors, can also be checked.
Which 1971 Kennedy Half Dollar is high value?
- $13,000 = 1971 D MS 61 Kennedy half-dollar on eBay in 2018
- $12,000 = 1971 S PR 69 DCAM Kennedy half-dollar in 2019
- $908 = 1971 S PR 68 CAM Kennedy half-dollar in 2014
- $1,821 = 1971 S PR 67 Kennedy half-dollar in 2013
- $1,560 = 1971 No Mint Mark MS 67 Kennedy Half Dollar in 2018
How Much Is The 1971 No Mint Mark Kennedy Half Dollar Worth?
The value of coins is based on conditions such as the 1971 No Mint Mark Kennedy half dollar, which is 60 cents in average condition. MS state action value is 60 dollars. A high-grading half-dollar value is about $2,500.
What Is The Rarest 1971 Kennedy Half Dollar?
1971 D halves that were mistakenly minted on silver planchets are rare coins and sold for high value.
What is special about 1971 half dollars?
The 1971 Half Dollar comes with a Kennedy photo that was added in 1964 for the commemoration of the president on coins. In 1964, half a dollar was made with 90 percent silver, but the silver ratio was reduced to 40 percent in 1965. The 40 percent silver half dollars were made until 1970 and changed to copper-nickel clad.
More than 450 million 1971 half dollars were made, and some were used for a common purpose.
Read also:
- Barber Half Dollars (1892 – 1915) Values- Price Charts & Coin Values
- 1912 Barber Half Dollar Coin Value (Regular Strike)
- 1941 Penny Worth Million Dollars
- Top 20 Most Valuable Morgan Silver Dollars – That Could Be Worth
- How Many Nickels in 2 Dollars?
- How Much Is 1977 quarter Value/Worth Today 2024? (1977 Quarter no mint mark)
- 1983 Quarter Value Price Chart Guide (Rare Errors, “P”, “D”, “S” Mint Mark)
FAQs
- Is a 1971 half dollar rare?
The 1971 half dollar coins are not high-value coins since they are made in larger numbers, and most exist. But some coins of MS67 and MS68 grades are high value.
- How to tell if a half dollar is silver or not?
The best method to find silver coins is to check the edge of the coins. If coins come with a silver stripe, then we can say it is silver. If there is a copper stripe, the coin is clad. The subdued silver stripe with faint traces of copper can be of coin is 40 percent silver.
- How much is a 1971 dollar coin worth today?
|
Eisenhower Dollars
|
Value Range |
| 1971-D $1 Type 1 MS |
$6.75 – $195.00
|
| 1971-D $1 Type 2 MS |
$2.15 – $11,300
|
| 1971-D $1 Peg Leg, FS-401 MS |
$4.73 – $1,250
|
- How many 1971 half dollars were minted?
| Mint | Mint Mark | Mintage |
| Philadelphia | 1971 No Mint Mark Half Dollar | 155,640,000 |
| Denver | 1971 D Half Dollar | 302,097,424 |
| San Francisco | 1971 S proof half dollar | 3,244,183 |
| Total | 460,981,607 |
- Are half dollars rare?
It is rare to get half dollars in circulation. The value of all circulation-strike Kennedy half dollars from 1971 and later is about face value of 50 cents.
- Is a half dollar silver?
In 1971 they removed the silver from half dollars, and the composition changed to copper-nickel clad. Since 2002, half dollars have been made for numismatic products. But the Federal Reserve still ordered them for circulation.
- What years are half dollars silver?
| Years Minted | Half Dollar |
Silver Composition
|
| 1892-1915 | Barber | 90% |
| 1916-1947 | Walking Liberty | 90% |
| 1948-1963 | Franklin | 90% |
| 1964 | Kennedy | 90% |
- Is the 1972 half dollar rare?
The 1972 silver dollar value provides the largest range of coins. The common and highly circulated coins are valued at a couple of bucks, but the rarest and highest grades are worth nearly $10,000 each.
- What year is the most expensive half dollar?
- 1921-S Walking Liberty = $188,000.
- 1878-S Liberty Seated = $199,750.
- 1919-D Walking Liberty = $270,250.
- 1817/4 Capped Bust = $356,500.
- 1796 15 stars Draped Bust = $373,750.
- 1838-O Capped Bust = $763,750.
- 1796 16 stars Draped Bust = $822,500.
- 1797 Draped Bust = $1,527,500.
-
How much silver is in a half dollar?
| Coin | Composition | ASW (oz.) |
| Franklin Half Dollar (1948-1963) | 90% Silver | 0.36169 |
| Kennedy Half Dollar (1964) | 90% Silver | 0.36169 |
| Kennedy Half Dollar (1965-1970) | 60% Copper, 40% Silver | 0.1479 |
| Morgan Dollar (1878-1921) | 90% Silver | 0.7734 |
- How can I tell if my 1972 half dollar is silver?
The Kennedy half dollar made from 1963 and 1970 comes with silver. But 1972 are silver in color, that color due to nickel. They don’t come with silver at all.
